Flickering power/screen It had been a while since I booted up my Genesis. I pulled it out, plugged it in (ac adapter and rf adapter) and turned it on. the game would run for about ten seconds, then reboot itself. Anyone have an idea on how to fix this? AC adapter issue? Console issue?

To make sure of this just plug the console in and turn it on (so the red light goes on) and gently move the power cord an see if the red led flickers; if it does then follow this fix

Open the console don't loose the screws!
Remove the circuit board and look at the power plug closely
There are 3 joins to it and the board.
Sometimes you can just touch a hot soldering iron on them or a small blob of solder will fix it. Then reassemble and have fun.

Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.

I've seen Genesis consoles that are just plain bad, rusted inside and screwed up, no fixing that. I hope that isn't the case but it sounds similar to what happened to me, and mine was garbage.

make sure its on the right channel (3 or 4 depending on the RF switch). also wiggle the A/V cable to see if its a loose port. Try holding the cartridge back or forth when powering it on in case the pins that touch the cart inside the console are loose and just aren't making contact (if this is the case there are guides on how to open up the Gen and make them stick out more, fixing it)

Maybe you are supposed to be on Channel 4. There should be a 3-4 switch on your RF adapter. Try wiggling the video connection in the back of your genesis and see if that fixes anything, it might be a lose port, in which case you have to wrap the cable underneath the genesis or something heavy to keep it at a working angle (if you find a working angle).

It is also possible your RF cable is bad. They aren't that much on ebay, but make sure you buy one for your model (there are 2 models of genesis and they use different RF cables)

Really most of the time it just takes a little wiggling in the back of the sega because i always get this problem with mine with the oldstyle rf adapter set to ch.3 but after i move it just right i get clear picture

Well the RF Adaptors are not that great for the sega genny they seem to fail more times then not and if been sitting rolled up in a ball I would have to run a conclusion that the RF adaptor is pooched.

Another idea would pulling the top of the genny shell off and looking at where the RF jack is on the mainboard and looking to see if its burnt in any spots this could be the issue as well.

alot of people would still say its a cleaning issue either the game or the system needs cleaning but if you have done that already have you tryed using rubbing alcohal on a q-tip and run it along the carts contacts?

I ushally have a modified genesis laying around with A/V cables to be used instead of the RF cables that is another method you could try to if you into soldering at all or feel safe doing it. let me tell you besides fixing the controller port issue on a dreamcast the genesis AV mod is the easyest out there to do if you need or would like more info on this as well let me know and I will help you out

well a sega genesis there are 3 different models all either using RF adaptors or AV cables

if RF adaptor please follow this

plug the RF adaptor into the back of your tv the coaxal cable for your tv service ushally runs through this, and plug it into the the back and you can also plug the service into the RF adaptor for the sega genesis. plug the power in and make sure you are on the correct channel (3or4)

If you are using AV cables please advise and I will post the following for that.